propane system question

[wdperry]

I have a new 2011 Keystone Cougar High Country 5th wheel. Since chilly weather came upon us in Texas, Ive started using my heater. I have two 30# propane tanks. And in two ocasions Ive gone thru a complete tank in 9-10 days with the same tank. It will not switch to the other tank. Ive swapped tanks and it stays on the outside tank all the time.

Question: Do I have a regulator problem or what are suggestions to correct this?

[MSHappyCampers]

I believe that most, if not all, RV's come with automatic changeover type regulators. On mine, I turn the manual knob to the tank I want to start out using. When that tank is empty, it will start pulling propane from the other tank and a sight glass will turn red and show me that the first tank is empty. I then switch the manual lever to the other tank and take the first tank in to be filled. Do your gas appliances stop working while there is still gas in the second tank? If it is not switching then you probably have a defective regulator. I had to replace mine one time several years ago.

[RichR]

My 2011 Montana does not have the auto change over on it.It has a 30lb tank on each side on the trailer.My tank on the right side does not feed propane very well,I am told to open the tank very slow as the line has a leak feature that will shut the flow down.I am looking at replacing this hose and getting better service without the flow shutoff.This may be your trouble?

[1ciderdog]

I think it would be worth your while to get the automatic jiminyard mentions (post 2). I have used one for years and it has not failed me (yet). No need to mess with changing tanks if one goes dry in the middle of the night or rain storm, etc.
Safe travels
Bob

[wdperry]

When the tank empties and the indicator is red, I then turn the regulator to the other tank, which is full, but the regulator indicator stays red.......????????

[MSHappyCampers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdperry When the tank empties and the indicator is red, I then turn the regulator to the other tank, which is full, but the regulator indicator stays red.......????????

Not sure, but I don't remember mine doing that.

[1ciderdog]

The red indicater goes away - at least that's the way it works on the one I have. When the tank being used goes empty the red portion shows up in the valve readout. As soon as the valve lever is turned towards the full tank the red goes away and green shows up. Then at your convenience you take the empty tank and have it filled, hook it up and wait for the other tank to go empty - red shows up and the process is repeated.
Safe Travels
Bob

[K-Star]

if your regulator is the variety that switches over automatically, then it will start drawing from the other tank without any hands on for you. The indicator will continue to display RED as long as the valve lever is pointing to the empty tank. You then need to move the valve lever to the "functioning" tank to remove the empty tank to refill. When you swing the valve lever over, the indicator will turn GREEN indicating the other tank is full. You shouldn't have to change that valve lever to keep LPG flowing.

If it isn't working this way then you have a defective regulator.

[Ray,IN]

X3, what Bob and John said. WDPerry, I suspect your regulators look like these. The red one should be on the cylinder opposite the LP piping into the RV. The silver one should be near the cylinder closest to the piping, and both hoses connected to the silver double-stage regulator. That's my opinion and thoughts WFIW.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Quote:

I am told to open the tank very slow as the line has a leak feature that will shut the flow down.I am looking at replacing this hose and getting better service without the flow shutoff.

That anti-leak feature (which is more properly called called the Excess Flow Detection) is part of the tank valve, not the hose. All LP valves for the last several years have Excess Flow Detection built into them, along with the OPD (Overfill Protection Device) - it's part of the fire safety standards for LP tanks.

[nutensteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer That anti-leak feature (which is more properly called called the Excess Flow Detection) is part of the tank valve, not the hose. All LP valves for the last several years have Excess Flow Detection built into them, along with the OPD (Overfill Protection Device) - it's part of the fire safety standards for LP tanks.

I discovered this issue with my BBQ. I could not get it to light when hooked up to my propane tank. I replaced the hose only to find out that you have to open the valve slowly in order to pressurize the hose. I now have an extra hose.